NOTE TO ALL DEED OWNERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, STONEMASONS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Tamworth Borough Council prides itself in ensuring that the cemeteries are maintained in a safe and tidy condition to the benefit of all visitors to the area.
To help implement these regulations, owners/personal representatives must observe the following regulations and guidance notes.
Should clarification or further information be required, please contact the Cemeteries Officer on Tamworth (01827) 709343 or email: cemeteries@tamworth.gov.uk
CONTENTS
SECTION A – INTERMENT ARRANGEMENTS
A2 Notice of interment.
A3 Death certificates
A4 Location of graves
A5 Reopening of graves.
SECTION B – MEMORIALS
B1 Approval to place Memorials.
B2 Registered Stonemasons
B3 Memorial Guarantees
B4 Insurance
B5 Construction Materials
B6 Grave Number
B7 Temporary Marker Slabs
B8 Stability of Memorials
B9 Siting of Memorials
B10 Erection / Repairs on any Memorial
B11 Removal of Memorials
B12 Vases
B13 Maximum sizes of Memorials
B14 Dilapidated Memorials
B15 Memorial Trees and Benches
SECTION C - MAINTENANCE OF GRAVES
C1 Seeding of Grave Spaces
C2 Soil from other Graves
C3 Grassed Areas
C4 Cultivation of Grave Spaces
C5 Non-complying Items
SECTION D - GENERAL REGULATIONS
D1 Opening Hours
D2 Misconduct
D3 Dogs
D4 Children
D5 Scattering of Cremated Remains
SECTION E - FEES AND CHARGES
E1 Exclusive rights of Burial
E2 non-Borough
SECTION A – INTERMENT ARRANGEMENTS
A2 NOTICE OF INTERMENT
Notice of interment must be given on the form provided by the Council and must be fully completed in all cases; such notices are to be sent to the Cemeteries Office from Mondays to Fridays of each week, generally with at least three clear working days before the burial.
Interments will not normally take place on a Saturdays or Sundays. The time fixed for a burial must be punctually observed and will be the time of attendance at the cemetery.
While it is understood the above timescale will accommodate most religions, it is acknowledged that some faiths may have more stringent requirements and as such arrangements for burials outside of this timescale must be made directly with the cemetery office, when alternative arrangements will be considered.
All fees must be received by the Council with the Notice of Interment form three clear working days before the interment, unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed. The current fees are listed on our website.
A3 DEATH CERTIFICATES
The Registrar’s Certificate for Burial, or the Coroners Order for Burial where an inquest has been held, or the Certificate of Disposal of Cremated remains, must be handed to the Cemeteries officer in advance of the burial taking place. A Certificate of Burial (Stillbirth) will be required in the case of a stillborn child in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. A letter must be provided by the hospital, midwife or Doctor in respect of a foetus of less than 24 weeks gestation. The interment cannot proceed without the above documentation being produced beforehand.
A4 LOCATION OF GRAVES
The site for interment in respect of a public grave or a purchased grave required for immediate use shall be selected by the Council. Persons purchasing grave spaces for future use can select the site there of subject to availability and the approval of the Council.
A5 REOPENING OF GRAVES
Before the reopening of a purchased grave the Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial for the said grave must be produced, or consent must be given in writing by the purchaser or his/her representative and submitted to the Cemeteries Office. In the event of the death of the grave owner (the person named on the deed of ownership), ownership may be able to be transferred to the person applying for a burial by contacting the cemetery office and the completion of the necessary paperwork for transfer.
SECTION B - MEMORIALS
B1 APPROVAL TO PLACE MEMORIALS
Please note that only qualified stonemasons registered with this authority may carry out any work on memorials in our cemeteries. (Please refer to section B2 for further information)
With the exception detailed in paragraph B12 (Vases), no headstone, kerb-set, vase or other memorial or inscription, will be allowed in any cemetery within the Borough of Tamworth without written approval from the Council and a permit issued.
A memorial permit is required from the Cemeteries Office to erect, refix, clean, renovate any memorial. Memorial application forms are available free of charge from the cemetery office.
The grave owner(s)/representative(s) and the Stonemason are required to sign the memorial application form and submit to the cemeteries office together with the appropriate cemetery fee (see section E).
Memorials are only permitted for internments that have taken place within the grave space. No memorials are permitted where internments have taken place elsewhere. All inscriptions must match official death records.
B2 REGISTERED STONEMASONS
Only stonemasons who are registered on our approved list may carry out works in our cemeteries. A full list of approved stonemasons is available on request from the cemetery office or can be downloaded from Tamworth Borough Council’s website. www.tamworth.gov.uk
B3 MEMORIAL GUARANTEES
All stonemasons are required to offer a minimum of 10 years guarantee on their workmanship for each memorial in respect of safety and stability.
B4 INSURANCE
It is recommended that families take out insurance on their memorials against accidental damage and vandalism. Please contact your stonemason for details on this type of insurance.
B5 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
All headstones, bases, kerb-sets, vases and other memorials shall be of natural quarried stone, such as marble or granite, or of such other material as may be approved by the Council.
Wooden memorials such as wooden crosses are not permitted even on a temporary basis. The Council provide a 3’ x 1’ (914mm x 305mm) concrete foundation and marker free of charge to mark the grave until the family may decide to place a more permanent memorial. (please refer to section C5).
B6 GRAVE NUMBER
It is the responsibility of the stonemason to ensure that the grave number is inscribed on all new and existing memorials. The grave number must be in figures not less than ½” (12mm) high and not more than 1’’ (25mm) high at the foot of each memorial. Should the grave number not be inscribed on the memorial the Council reserve the right to carry out the work and recharge the cost to the grave owner/stonemason.
B7 TEMPORARY MARKER SLABS
The Council will provide and lay a temporary 36” x 12” (914mm x 305mm) concrete slab at the head of the grave immediately after interment has taken place and will mark the slab with the grave number.
Please note that the concrete slabs placed by the council are for the sole purpose of marking the grave and under the current National Standards are no longer suitable to support memorials.
B8 STABILITY OF MEMORIALS
Appropriate foundations for all memorials including headstones, kerb sets, vases and tablets are to be supplied by the Stonemason. All foundations must be of a suitable size and thickness to support the memorial but must not exceed the grave width of 36” (914mm). Please place our marker slab to be placed by the nearest bin for collection by the cemetery staff.
Stonemasons must ensure that the ground is stable before erecting any memorial. The Council will top up any grave free of charge once the stonemason has removed the memorial. Removal is at the cost of the family/stonemason.
The Council will from time to time check the stability of all memorials, if any are found to fail this test then the Council reserve the right to lay down the memorial and it will be the responsibility of the grave owner to ensure it is made same and refixed.
B9 SITING OF MEMORIALS
All memorials including kerb sets must be aligned with other memorials in the row before being securely fixed according to the current standards and Code of Practice as recommended by National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM).
It is the Stonemason’s responsibility to ensure the correct siting of all memorials; making sure that they face the same direction as other memorials in that cemetery.
If there is any uncertainty on any of the above points, the Cemeteries Officer should be contacted for confirmation before fixing the memorial.
Any memorial that needs to be moved because either it was fixed incorrectly, in the wrong location or the ground is unstable will be at the Stonemason’s expense.
Please note that a Memorial permit must be obtained prior to carrying out this work.
B10 ERECTION, ON SITE REPAIR/CLEANING OF MEMORIALS
All Stonemasons must give the Council 24 hours’ notice before carrying out any work on any memorial in its cemeteries giving the appropriate Permit Number. This includes cleaning, renovation and removal of any memorial. This rule applies even if the memorial was booked for a previous day and was not fixed or the work was not completed.
All Stonemasons must always take care when erecting or removing any memorial to avoid damage to paths, turf and other memorials.
B11 REMOVAL OF MEMORIALS
It is required that Stonemasons/ Funeral Directors notify the council when they are removing memorials for the purpose of a burial as well as to carry out additional work to the memorial.
When removing memorials all the debris, plinths, bases must be taken completely out of the cemetery. The Council reserves the right to tidy up the area and recharge the cost to the stonemason.
B12 VASES
Each grave space is permitted a maximum of two vases incorporated in the headstone and one which can be free standing provided it is inside an approved kerb set. If the grave has no headstone the vase may be placed in the position normally occupied by the headstone. It is not permissible to place a vase on the grassed area of the grave space.
Temporary vases (sometimes supplied by Stonemason’s whilst waiting for a permanent memorial) and vases with the inscription ‘In Loving Memory’ may be placed on the concrete foundation base without permission. There is no cemetery fee for this type of memorial providing it does not have a personalised inscription.
All vases must comply with the requirements of paragraph B5 (Construction Materials) with regard to their construction i.e. not made of breakable material such as glass or earthenware.
Glass is very hazardous and will be removed immediately without notification by the cemetery staff. We reserve the right to remove any lose stones that have been placed directly on the grassed area.
B13 MAXIMUM SIZES OF MEMORIALS
Stonemasons Foundation slabs must not exceed the maximum width permitted of 36” (914mm wide).
Headstones
Maximum height permitted is 48” (1219mm height) including the base.
Maximum width permitted is 30” (762mm width)
Vases
Maximum height 12" (305mm)
Maximum width 9" (229mm)
Maximum depth 9"(229mm)
Tablets
Maximum width 30” (762mm)
Maximum length 18” (457mm)
Kerb-sets
Maximum length permitted is 84” (2133mm long) for full grave.
Maximum length permitted is 54” (1372mm long) for half size or ashes grave.
Maximum width permitted is 36” (914mm wide)
Kerb set plinths/bases maximum length 87” (2210mm long)
Kerbset plinth/bases maximum width allowed is 39” (990mm wide)
Where a kerb set includes an integral headstone as part of the kerb set design, the overall kerb set width limit of 36 inches (914 mm) may be applied.
Where a kerb set does NOT incorporate the headstone, and a separate headstone is installed above, that headstone must comply with the headstone regulations and must not exceed 30 inches (762 mm) in width, regardless of the kerb set width.
B14 DILAPIDATED MEMORIALS AND UNKEMPT GRAVE SPACES
It is the responsibility of the Deed owner / personal representative to ensure their memorial is kept in proper repair and to maintain in good order any other part of the grave space that has not been grassed over.
The Council is empowered to remove, relocate, lay flat or sink any dilapidated or illegible memorial and to grass over any neglected grave.
In most instances the Council will confine its activity to laying unsafe headstones flat and grassing over. Prior to taking any such action, the Council will make every effort to notify the Deed owner or their successor in writing, or, if necessary, by Public Notice.
B15 MEMORIAL TREES AND BENCHES
Benches – Due to restricted open space within Tamworth’s cemeteries, private memorial benches are not permitted. To accommodate the wishes of bereaved families they will be able to purchase a plaque space on available benches, provided by the Council. The family will be responsible for the purchase of the plaque and it subsequent leasing.
The wording and sizing of the plaque will have to gain approval through the existing memorial permit process. Leasing will be for a period of five years, which is renewable on expiry.
The Council will maintain and repair all such benches but will have no liability for the plaques on the benches.
Trees - Due to lack of space it is not viable to plant any more memorial trees in our cemeteries.
SECTION C - MAINTENANCE OF GRAVES
C1 SEEDING OF GRAVE SPACES
It is the Council's preferred policy to maintain as much of each cemetery as possible as grassed areas.
In most instances the Deed owner only wish is to place a headstone or a vase at the head of the grave. In such cases, the Council will automatically turf/seed the remainder of the grave space, free of charge, once the ground has settled and take over responsibility for grass cutting at their own expense.
However, if the Deed owner wishes to take responsibility for the maintenance of the area in front of the headstone by the placing of an approved kerb-set supplied and erected by a qualified stonemason, they are at liberty to do so subject to the limitations and procedures detailed in section B.
C2 SOIL FROM OTHER GRAVES
If there are family graves near to or next to this grave, we must advise that from an operational point of view when preparing this grave for burial it may be unavoidable that the spoil from this grave is placed on one of these graves.
An additional charge would be incurred should you wish for the spoil to be completely taken away if this can be arranged at the time of the burial.
Unfortunately, the placing of the spoil is something which cannot be foretold until the time of burial. Please ask your Funeral Director to discuss the matter with the cemeteries office when booking the funeral. Should this be unavoidable the grave and surrounding area where the spoil has been placed will be completely reinstated immediately after the burial.
C3 GRASSED AREAS
Items should not be placed on the grassed area of a grave as this hinders the maintenance of that area. Any such items will be removed the council cannot be held responsible for damage to any such items.
C4 CULTIVATION OF GRAVE SPACES
Anyone wishing to cultivate their grave space is permitted to do so provided it is surrounded by an approved kerb set supplied and erected by a qualified Stonemason.
The Council may seed the grave if it seems the family is no longer attending to it.
During the first six months, the back-filled area of the grave will tend to settle and during this period the cemetery team will top up the soil to maintain its level. For this reason, it is not practical to plant out during the first six months, and the Council reserves the right to remove and replace any plants to facilitate the topping up operation.
All cultivated areas are to be used for the planting of flowers, and the Council reserves the right to remove any trees or oversized shrubs and plants. It is inadvisable to place ornaments in the grave area as this may encourage vandalism. Please do not place plants or remove turf outside the boundaries of the grave or kerb set.
Graves are usually seeded in late October/November and February/March, depending on the weather and current workloads.
Pre-Purchased Graves (Preselect) – The Council mark all pre purchased graves with a concrete foundation and marker. Please do not place any items on these bases or plots as they will be removed immediately.
C5 NON-COMPLYING ITEMS
For reasons of safety and to maintain a dignified environment within the cemeteries the following items are not permitted:
- Glass containers, due to Health & Safety requirements all glass items will be removed from the grave immediately by the cemetery staff memorials of a wooden construction i.e. wooden cross miniature fencing,
- Unofficial kerbs made from any material
- Large flower containers, pebbles, stone chipping, gravel or, the like unless placed inside an approved kerb- set.
- Any articles not mentioned in the above list made from wood, plastic, earthenware which are not in keeping with the cemetery.
Should an unauthorised item be placed on a grave, every effort will be made to contact the Deed owner and request removal. Should it not be possible to contact the Deed owner, a removal notice will be attached to the item allowing the Deed owner a suitable amount of time to remove the item concerned.
If the item is not removed within the given period cemetery staff will remove them.
The grave space may not be covered in artificial grass.
The authority provides concrete marker foundation bases for free, and they must not be altered.
SECTION D - GENERAL REGULATIONS
D1 OPENING HOURS
Cemeteries are open to pedestrians from dawn until dusk all year round. Only official funeral cars, maintenance, and emergency vehicles are allowed. Entry to a cemetery outside these hours is an offence, any person entering when a cemetery does so at their own risk and is liable upon conviction to a fine.
D2 MISCONDUCT
Under the provisions of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 it is an offence to:
- wilfully create a disturbance,
- commit any nuisance,
- wilfully interfere with any burial,
- wilfully interfere with any grave, memorial, flowers or plants or
- play any game or sport in a cemetery.
Any person found committing any of the above is liable upon conviction to a fine.
D3 DOGS
Dogs are not permitted within any of the cemeteries, with the exception that a dog belonging to a person visiting a grave will be allowed provided it is always kept on a lead. Contravention of this may result in a fine upon conviction. Dog owners must clean up after their dogs in the cemetery or face a Fixed Penalty Notice.
D4 CHILDREN
No child under the age of 12 years is allowed in a cemetery unless accompanied by a responsible person.
D5 SCATTERING OF CREMATED REMAINS
According to the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977, article 10(6), cremated remains cannot be buried in or over any grave without the written consent of the registered owner and Council. Violating this rule may result in a fine.
SECTION E - FEES AND CHARGES
E1 Exclusive Rights of Burial as from 1st December 2010 the rights to a grave are for a period of 50 years. The rights can be renewed after this time for periods of additional 25 years. The fee to renew will be 50% of the fee for exclusive rights in place at the time of renewal.
E2 Double Fees charged for Non- Borough – Non-Residents (Non-Resident is a person who pays their Council Tax to another council)
Double Fees will be charged:
- Pre-purchased graves - the Exclusive Rights of Burial fee is doubled if at the time of purchase the new owner(s) is a non-resident of Tamworth.
- Burial Fees are doubled if at the time of death, the deceased is a non-resident of Tamworth (even if the exclusive rights to the grave were purchased whilst they were a resident of Tamworth).
- Memorials Fees are doubled for non-residents.
Exclusions to this rule:
- Nursing Homes/Hospitals residency - Single fees apply if prior if the deceased was a Tamworth resident before moving to a nursing home or hospital outside the Borough. There is no time limit on how long they there.
- Administration Fees / Statutory Declaration fees – non-residents do not pay double for administration or statutory declaration fees.
If there are any questions, please contact the cemeteries office on Telephone no. 01827 709343 or email: cemeteries@tamworth.gov.uk